Hunting Deer - The Second Rut

Strategies For Hunting Deer - Phase Two Of The Rut

This time period of hunting deer - the second rut, is when the does that were not bred during the first estrus cycle come back into estrus 4 weeks after the peak of the rut. It is also the time that many of the yearling fawn does come into their first estrus cycle, usually at the age of 7 months, and now can be bred to give birth in the spring to young fawns.

Trophy Deer - Bucks

Trophy whitetail deer and other bucks are still in the rut phase of chasing does during this time, the second rut; even though the whitetail buck is dealing with daily decreasing testosterone levels in their body. To put it bluntly, they still want to breed them all. This is a good time to be deer hunting. Whitetail bucks can become very active this time of the rut. They may also be more active during the daylight hours during this time period of the rut. A result of all this breeding activity is that many trophy deer have depleted much of their fat stores while searching out, chasing and breeding does. Many trophy bucks and bucks in general can lose up to and more than 20% of their body fat.

Deer Hunter's Advantage

During this time of the year, early to mid December, the weather is cooler and may be much colder. As a deer hunter, I hope for zero degree's or colder here in northern Minnesota. Burr! you say, well not so fast.

Deer Hunting During Cold Weather

As a deer hunter, we can dress for the cold weather. Today we have many options available to us through great sporting good stores, especially online stores, like Dick's (click on link below), to purchase high quality hunting clothing. You get what you pay for, so spend the buck's (no pun intended); to stay warm and dry. Good quality hunting clothing will last a long time, and be well worth the price you pay. It won't do you any good if while hunting trophy deer, an opportunity of a lifetime comes, and your to cold to keep yourself mentally sharp, and you blow this opportunity of your lifetime. Here is a great deer hunting tip: Spend the money for quality hunting clothing, you won't regret it; and in 5 to 10 years you'll still be able to use your quality hunting clothing. Also; I recommend ice-pack type boots; the minus 100 degree ones. Something you can wiggle your toes in with 2 pairs of winter socks on, one light and one pair heavy weight.

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Whitetail Deer And Cold Weather

If you have very cold weather during the second rut, consider yourself lucky. You may just have fallen into the opportunity of a lifetime for hunting trophy deer and filling an indoor freezer with venison. During this time; the second phase of the rut, if it is real cold, a few things are in the deer hunter's favor. First, the whitetail deer's metabolism hasn't yet slowed down for the winter. Whitetail deer get cold too. Second, they now need to consume a high quantity of calories to maintained any body fat they may have. They will basically go on a feeding frenzy. Third, the does will congregate in small herds of 5 to 20 deer or more as they feed. Forth, here is an opportunity for that trophy deer to breed any doe in estrus at this time, and any yearling does that have come into estrus for the first time at 7 months of age. Now that bucks search for does just got easier and he still has to eat for strength and preserve any fat stores left. You might say that buck just found his smorgasbord. Check out my story about Brad's Buck.

Deer Hunting Strategies

Look to fields where crops are still standing and aren't packed down by heavy snow yet. Set up your stand or hunting blind downwind along field edges in good cover. When it is really cold, I like to cover alfalfa fields first and then clover; the alfalfa sweetens up when it gets real cold and quickly becomes one of the whitetail deer's favorite feeding areas. Also good hunting areas are, corn fields where to corn has been picked or flattened down (deer prefer to feed on corn on the ground), soy bean patches, any areas where acorns are still available, and other areas where high energy crops or foods are available.

Ethics

Whitetail deer can be very vulnerable during this phase of the second rut. Fallow all hunting regulations for your hunting area. Good luck!